LSAT Question Stem

If all of the statements above are true, which one of the following must be true? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be True question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage and summarize its main points. The passage states that many successful presidents and prime ministers had no prior experience in foreign affairs. It argues that anyone with an acute political sense, a disciplined temperament, and a highly developed ability to absorb and retain information can quickly learn to conduct a successful foreign policy. Furthermore, it claims that prior experience alone will be of little value to a foreign policymaker who lacks these three traits.

To simplify this, imagine a sports team. A coach doesn't necessarily need prior experience coaching that specific sport to be successful. If they have a good understanding of strategy, discipline, and can quickly learn and adapt to the game, they can still lead their team to victory. Prior experience in coaching that specific sport would be of little value if the coach doesn't possess these three traits.

Now, let's look at the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Must Be True (MBT) question, which means we need to identify the answer choice that must be true based on the information provided in the passage.

Let's go through each answer choice:

a) Scholars and diplomats have more experience in foreign affairs than most presidents and prime ministers bring to office.

- This answer choice cannot be confirmed as true based on the passage. The passage does not provide any information comparing the experience levels of scholars, diplomats, presidents, and prime ministers.

b) Prior experience in foreign affairs is neither a sufficient nor a necessary condition for a president or prime minister to have a successful foreign policy.

- This answer choice must be true based on the passage. The passage states that many successful leaders had no prior experience, showing that prior experience is not necessary. Additionally, it states that prior experience alone is of little value without the three traits, indicating that prior experience is not sufficient for success in foreign policy.

c) Prior experience in foreign affairs is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a president or prime minister to have a successful foreign policy.

- This answer choice is contradicted by the passage. The passage states that many successful leaders had no prior experience, showing that prior experience is not necessary for success in foreign policy.

d) An acute political sense, a disciplined temperament, and a highly developed ability to absorb and retain information are each necessary conditions for a president or prime minister to have a successful foreign policy.

- This answer choice is incorrect because the passage states that these three traits collectively can lead to a successful foreign policy, but it does not claim that each trait is individually necessary for success.

e) A president or prime minister with years of experience in foreign affairs will have a more successful foreign policy than one who does not have experience in foreign affairs.

- This answer choice is not supported by the passage. The passage states that many successful leaders had no prior experience and that prior experience alone is of little value without the three traits. It does not claim that having experience guarantees more success in foreign policy.

Based on our analysis, the correct answer is B, as it must be true according to the information provided in the passage.